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Nocturnal Paper Wasp

Apoica pallens

Photo by Dan Doucette
Published on Project Noah
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-3.98893, -70.09

Field Notes

Description:

the nest is about the size of a very large grapefruit

Habitat:

tropical rainforest

Notes:

This nest was hanging under the leaves of a palm just off the trial. I tried to keep a respectable distance and be quick so this was the only shot I took.

Species ID Suggestions

Paper Wasp

Apoica pallens

Comments (12)

This is so neat, never have seen these before. They look like they should glow in the dark!
Thanks for all the comments and Reza and Forest for the ID. That is quite the detailed article Reza, more than I need to know!
These are sometimes also known as Nocturnal Paper wasps. Here is an article with a lot more info on this wonderful social wasp. http://www4.ncsu.edu/~jhhunt/Apoica%20pallens.pdf
I don't know if they have a common name but they are really neat!
Wow Dan! I do agree with you about them being Wasps. Such unusual coloration (at least for wasps I am used to seeing)!

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